Cleaning machine



Jan.l 28, 1.9472

c. R, MosER CLEANING MACINE Filed July 8, 1944 ,f N Z 58,46 yf, 47

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Jan. zas,v 1947. Q R, MOSER 2,414,971

CLEANING MACHINE Filed July a, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fig 10 i I l 3 wcnm l Clarence R. Mse/v 56 I 5] 5&9 Y

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Patented-Jan. 28, 1941' OFFICE l vcriminosoMACHINE Clarence R. Moser, Orriville, Ohio Application July 8, 194i, Serial No. 544,005

19 claims. (ci. 134-112) The vinvention relates ingeneral to cleaning machines and more particularly to a machine of this character especially adapted forvcleaning small objects such as the parts of watches and clocks. l I

Machines for this purpose such as are now in generaluse include a receptacle containing cleaning uid, a perforate basket for holding the small parts to be cleaned and means for rotating the basket at a high speed within the cleaning fluid.

Such machines are not entirely satisfactory asv considerable time is required for each cleaning operation and since no means is provided'for producing a forced circulation ofthe cleaning iluid through the basket and around the. parts to be cleaned it frequently happens that the parts are not thoroughly cleaned. p

It is an object .of the present invention to provide a cleaning machinein which a forced circulation of` cleaning fluid is produced through the basket andaround the parts to be cleaned whereby the cleaning operation may be considerably shortened and the Vpartsthoroughly cleaned. 1' v Another object is to provide a cleaning machine of this character in which the motor shaft has an impeller fixed upon its lower end, and a sleeve is journalled around the shaft and provided with means surrounding the impeller for detachably connecting the basket below the impeller.

tively connecting the sleeve to the shaft so that the basket may be rotated to centrifugally dry` raised out of the cleaning uid and automaticallydisengaged from the shaft when the basket is l lowered into the fluid.4

It is another object of the invention to 'provide a machine of the character referred to in which the sleeve is longitudinally slidable upon the shaft and cooperating clutch members are provided upon the shaft and sleeve. Y.

Another object is to providea sta-nd in the bottom of the liquid receptacle to support the basket in stationary condition. y

Still another object is to provideradial vanes around the exterior of the basket stand to prevent the cleaning fluid from being swirled around in the receptacle due to the 'action of the'im- A furtherobject is to provide a cleaning machine of this character with means for operatively connecting the sleeve .to the shaft so that the sleeve is driven at a considerably slower speed than the shaft.

v A still further object is to provide such a cleanl ing machine in which a cylindric casing sur- 30 A further object is to provide means for operarounds the impeller, the basket being detachably connected to the lower end of the casing and openings being formed inthe top` of the casing with angular vanes for defecting the cleaning fluid to the impeller.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning machine of the character referred to in which means is provided on the inside of the iiuid receptacle for engaging the radial vanes on the stand to prevent rotation of the stand and basket when the impeller is rotated.

The above objects together with others which will be apparent from the drawings and following detail description, or which may be later referred to, may be attained by constructing the improved cleaning machine in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional view of a cleanving machine embodying the invention, showing the same in position -for cleaning;

Fig. 2 a transverse section through the impeller housing, taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;-

Fig. `3 a section through the motor shaft and sleeve, taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 a fragmentary section through the uid receptacle showing the ribs-for engaging one of the radial vanes of the stand, taken on the line 4 4, Fig. l;

Fig. 5 a perspective view of the sleeve and impeller housing:

Fig. 6 a perspective view of the cover for the basket;

Fig. 7 a perspective view of the inner basket for small parts;

Fig. 8 a perspective view of the basket;

Fig. 9 a perspective view of the stand for the basket;

Fig. 10 fragmentary, vertical sectional view of a slightly modiiied form of the invention showing a gear reduction between the shaft and sleeve, and

Fig. 11 a transverse sectional view taken on the line I|-H, Fig. 10.

The cleaning machine includes a plurality of similar receptacles for containing various kinds of cleaning fluid to lbe used successively as in usual practice, one of these receptacles being shown, at l5. Each of these receptacles may be lower end thereof, or the receptacle may be l square in cross section. for a purpose to be later l explained.

` An electric motor of any usual and well known design, and mounted upon a vertical axis, is indicated generally at I1 and may be provided with a pistol grip handle i 8 by means of which the motor, and parts carried thereby, may be manually moved from one receptacle to another during the cleaning operation. A switch button i9 is provided upon the handle for convenient operation of the switch which controls the motor.

A cover for the receptacle formed of any suitable material such as hard rubber, plastic, wood or the like as indicated at 2o may be nxed to the lower end of the motor as by the lugs 2| with screw threaded terminal ends 22 located through suitable openingso 23 in the cover, and nuts 24 upon said threaded terminals. A depending flange 25 may be formed upon the cover 2li for engaging over the upper open end of the receptacle IB.

The shaft 28 of the motor is of substantial length and the lower end thereof is shouldered as at 21 and screw threaded as at 2l to receive. the impeller indicated generally at 29, a nut 30 being placed upon the screw threaded terminal of the shaft for clamping the impeller rigidly upon the shaft.

- The impeller may be of any suitable type for eecting circulation of the cleaning uid over and around the objects to be cleaned, a screw type impeller with three inclined blades 3l being illustrated.

Slidably mounted upon the lower portion of the shaft 2b, between the impeller hub 32 and the stop pin 83, is a sleeve 34 preferably having the enlarged thimbles 3l and 36 at its upper and lower ends respectively to receive bushings l1 which may be formed of any suitable material. The sleeve 34 is preferably out away on opposite sides as indicated at 88 in order to quickly drain cleaning iiuid therefrom when the device is removed from the iluid. y

A housing 39 is mounted upon or formed integrally with the lower end portion of the sleeve 34 I and comprises the radial ribs 40 and the depending cylindrical side wall 4|, the lower end of said housing being open. Angular vanes 42 are mounted upon the ribs 4l and arranged to direct miseri For the purpose of segregatlng small, delicate parts such as the hair spring, balance post and the like, a separate inner basket E52 may be proadapted to rest upon the ringframe 53 of thesmaller basket, the two ring frames S3 and 55 being clamped between the ring frame 44 of the main basket and the peripheral flange 4I of the impeller housing as shown in Fig. 1.

A stand. may be provided in the lower portion of the uid receptacle to support the basket 43 in stationary position when the impeller is operated. This stand may comprise a cylindric frame B6 open at both ends and shouldered at its upper end as at 51 to receive the ring frame 44 of the basket 43 and is provided with a plurality of radial `vanesv B8 around its periphery adapted to .fit

within the interior of the receptacle l5, one of said vanes being received between the spaced ribs is of the receptacle to prevent rotation of the stand within the receptacle, due to the motion of the impeller.

The inner edges of the vanes BB are preferably outwardly inclined as at 69 and terminate in the rounded upper ends G0 to facilitate insertion of the basket into the frame. The lower outer corners of the vanes may be ct away as at GI so as to permit the vanes to rest upon the bottom wall of the receptacle IB.

In the operation of the machine the receptacle Ill is filled with cleaning fluid to about the level y indicated at L. The basket is assembled upon the Ailuid downward into the housing when the ably connect the basket to the impeller housing.`

A locking spring 4B may be fixed at ,one end, as at, to the exterior of the cylindrical wall 4i of the impeller housing as by welding, brazing or the like, the free end Si!l ofthe spring'bein'g adapted to engagean edge of one oi the flanges of the basket in order to lock the basket upon the housing, the stud Si upon the basket contacting one of the vanes 58 of the stand and holding the basket against rotation.

the impeller housing with the watch parts to be cleaned within the basket, and the cover 2 0 is placed upon the receptacle with the basket supported within the stand YE58, as shown in Fig. 1.

The motor is then started to operate the impeller which draws the cleaning fluid down throughy the open top of the impeller housing and forces it down through the basket, around and over the watchparts therein. The vanes 58 upon the stand prevent the cleaning liquid from swirling around within the receptacle and cause it to be continuously circulated upward around the stand and between the venes' as itis forced down through the basket by the impeller, thus rapidly -moved to the dotted line position indicated at A in Fig. 1 above the liquid level. As the motor is raised the shaft 24 will slide upwardly in the sleeve 34 until the hub I2 of the impeller contacts the lower end of the sleeve so that further upy ward movement of the shaft will carry the impeller housing and basket assembly upwardly therewith. v

Clutch mechanism is provided for operatively connecting the sleeve 84 to the impeller at this point. This clutch mechanism may comprise a pin 62 extending downwardly from the sleeve or the lower bushing 81 thereof and arranged to engage any one of a plurality of holes .63 in the impeller hub.

When the parts are raised to the position shown in broken lines at A in Fig. 1 the motor is again operated and as the sleeve is thus operatively connected to the impeller the impeller housing cleaned and dried.

' and basket be mtatedwitn the shaft, centrifugally drying the cleaned parts.

The operation may be repeated in one or'more similar receptacles containing. various kinds of cleaning fluid until all of the In Figs. mand 11 is shown a siighuy modined form of the invention adapted to rotate the basket at considerably slower speed than the shaft,

clock parts and the like.

In this form of the invention the motor I'Ia,

receptacle Ia, receptacle cover 20a and shaft 26a may all be of the'. same constructionA and arrangement as above described. The impeller, impeller hou-sing, basket assembly, basket supporting stand, etc. may all. be of the same construction as illustrated and described with reference to Figs. y1 to 9 inclusive and therefore .these parts are not illustrated in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figs. and 11.

The sleeve 34a is not slidable upon the shaft but is rotatable thereto and is journalled at its upper end in a bracket 64 connected to the under side of the cover 20a as by the screws 65. A gear 66 is ilxed uponthe sleeve and meshes with a pinion 61 journalled upon a shaft 68 carried by the lever 69. A gear lll is xed to the pinion 6l and arranged to mesh with a pinion 1| fixed upon the shaft 26a. The lever 69 is pivoted upon the cover 20a as at 12 and is manually swung to a position to disengage,` the pinion 61 and gear'lll from the gear 66 and pinion 'il upon the shaft receptacle, while the parts are being cleaned in the uid. In this form of the invention the basket may be received in the stand in the manner shown in'Fig. 1, but since the basket is actually support-` ed through the sleeve 34a by the bracket 64, the stand is not required to support` the basket but merely to hold the basket against rotation wit"in the receptacle.`

However whe'n| the basket and impeller housing are raisedfabove the level ofthe cleaning fluid the levfer. 69 is moved to the position shown in Figs. l0' and l1. operatively connecting the sleeve 34a to the shaftl 26athrough the reduction gearing described causing the sleeve 34a and the basket carried thereby to be rotated at a' considerably less speed than the shaft;

Instead of using a cylindrical receptacle a square receptacle may be used for containing the cleaning fluid in which case the vanes 58 nt into the four corners of the receptacle preventing rotation of the stand and basket assembly within the receptacle due to the action of the impeller.

I claim: 1. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, 'a vertical shaft located in said receptacle, an impeller upon the lower end of the shaft, a sleeve longitudinally slidable and rotatable upon the shaft above the impeller, means xed upon the sleeve surrounding the impeller,

cooperating clutch members upon the sleeve andv parts are properly v when it is desired to centrifugally dry the cleaned asistan I shaft, a. sleeve longitudinally slidable and rotatable upon ltheV shaftabove the impeller, means `fixed upon the sleeve surrounding-the' impeller,

cooperating clutch members upon thesleeve and the shaft, a reticulated basket for supporting 4articles to be cleaned, means for detachably conn ecting the basket to said means xed upon the sleeve and supporting means in the lower portion of the receptacle for supporting the basket in position to hold said clutch members out of engagement. i l

3. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a vertical shaft located in said yreceptacle, an impeller upon the'lower end of the shaft, a sleeve longitudinally slidable and rotatable upon the shaft above the impeller, a

housing upon the sleeve surrounding the impeller,

cooperating clutch members upon the sleeve and the shaft, a reticulated basket for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the basket to said housing, supporting means inthe lower portion of the receptacle for supporting the basket in position to hold said clutch members out of engagement and means for rotating the shaft.

4. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a vertical shaft located in said receptacle, an impeller upon the lower end of the shaft, a sleeve longitudinally slidable andl rotatable upon the shaft above the impeller, a housing upon the sleeve surrounding the impeller, said housing being open at its top and bottom and having inclined vanes at'its upper end, cooperating clutch members upon the sleeve and the shaft, a'reticulated basket for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the basket .to said housing, supporting means in the lower portion of the receptacle for supporting the Abasket in position to hold said clutch members out of engagement and means for rotating the shaft.

5. Avcleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a motor, a coverfor the receptacle fixed to the lowerfend of the motor, a shaft upon the motor located within the receptacle, an impeller upon the lower end of the the shaft, a reticulated basket for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the basket to said means xed upon the sleeve, supporting means in the lower portion of the receptacle for supporting the basket in position to hold said clutch members out of engage-l ment and means for rotating the shaft.

' 2. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a motor, a cover for the receptacle xed to vthe lower end of the motor, a

shaft upon the motor located within the receptacle, an impeller upon the lower end of the shaft, a sleeve longitudinally slidable and rotatable upon the shaft above the impeller, a housing upon the sleeve surrounding the impeller, said.

housing being open at its top and bottom and lhaving inclined varies at its upper end, cooperating clutch members upon the sleeve and the shaft,-a reticulated basket for supporting articles to' be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the basket to said housing and supporting means ,in the lower portion of the receptacle for supporting the basket in position to hold said clutch members out of engagement. f

6. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a vertical shaft located in said receptacle, means for rotating said shaft, an

impeller upon the lower end of the shaft, a sleeve l journalled upon the shaft, means fixed upon the sleeve surrounding the impeller, a reticulated bas` ket for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the basket to said augen for holding liquid, a' vertical shaft located in said receptacle, means for rotating said shaft, an impeller upon the lower end ofthe shaft, a sleeve journalled upon the shaft. means fixed upon the sleeve surrounding the impeller, a reticulated basket for supporting articles to b e cleaned, means for detachably connecting the basket to said means .'dxed upon the sleeve, means in the receptacle for holding the basket in stationary position, and means .for operatively connecting the sleeve with the shaft for rotating the sleeve. 8. A cleaning machine comprising a, receptacle for holding liquid, means for supporting an article to be cleaned in the liquid, an impeller located a substantial distance above the article supporting means so as to be located entirely above the article supported thereby. pOsltive means for preventing contact of the impeller and the article, means for rotating the impeller relative to the article supporting means to circulate liquid through and around the article supported by said article supporting means, and means for raising the article supporting means above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the article supporting means in the raised position. 9. A cleaning machinecomprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a vertical shaft located in said receptacle, means for rotating said shaft, an impeller upon the lower end of the shaft, a sleeve journalled upon the shaft, means fixed upon the sleeve and surrounding the impeller, means for supporting -articlesto 'be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the article supporting means to said means iixed upon the sleeve, means for holding the article supporting means in stationtacle for holding liquid, a vertical shaft located in said receptacle, means for rotating the shaft, an impeller upon the lower end of the shaft, a sleeve surrounding the shaft and rotatable relative thereto, means fixed upon the sleeve and surrounding the impeller, means for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for detachably connecting the article supporting means "to said means fixed upon the sleeve, means for holding the article supporting Ameans in stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle and means for operatively connecting the sleeve with the shaft for rotating the sleeve.

14. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a reticulated basket for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for holding the basket in stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle, an impeller located a substantial distance above the bottom of the basket so as tobe located entirely above the articles therein, positive means for preventing contact of the impeller and the articles, means for actuating the impeller to circulate liquid through the basket, and means for raising the basket above ary position below the liquid level in the receptacle and means for operatively connecting the sleeve with the shaft for rotating the sleeve.

10. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a basket including a reticulated receptacle portion for supporting articles to be cleaned, means for holding the basket in stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle, an impeller located above the top of the reticulated receptacle portion of the basket so as to be located entirely above the articles therein, positive means for preventing contact of the impeller and the articles, means for actuating the impeller to circulate liquid through the basket, and means for raising the basket above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

ll. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a reticulated basket for supporting articles to be cleaned, a cover for the basket, means for holding the basket in stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle, an impeller located above the cover of the basket, means for actuating the impeller to circulate liquid through the basket, and means for raising the basket above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

l2. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a reticulated basket for supporting articles to be cleaned in said liquid, a cover for the basket, an impeller located above the cover of the basket adapted to circulate liquid through the basket, means for rotating the im-I peller relative to the basket to circulate liquid through the basket, and means for raising the basket above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

i3. A cleaning machine comprising a recepthe liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

l5. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a basket having a reticulated cup shaped receptacle portion for supporting articles to be cleaned, a stand for holding the basket in stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle, an impeller located a substantial distance above the reticulated cup shaped receptacle portion so'as to be located entirely above the articles therein, positive means for preventing contact of the impeller and the articles, means fr actuating the impeller tov circulate liquid through the basket, and means for removing the basket from the stand and raising it above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

16. A cleaning machine comprising a. receptacle for holding liquid, a basket having a reticulated receptacle portion for supporting articles to be cleaned, a stand for holding the basket in stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle, cooperating means on the stand and the receptacle for holding the stand against relative movement in the receptacle, an impeller located entirely above the top of the reticulated receptacle portion, positive means for preventingl contact of the impeller and the articles, means for actuating the impeller to circulate liquid through the basket, and means for raising the basket from the stand and raising itabove the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

17. A cleaning machine comprising a recepitacle for holding liquid, a basket having a retlcu lated receptacle portion for supporting articles' to be cleaned, a stand for holding the basket in stationary position below the liquid `level in the receptacle, vertical vanes upon the stand and cooperating means in the interior of the receptacle for holding the stand against relative movement in the receptacle, an impeller located entirely above the top of the reticulated receptacle "portion, means for actuating the impeller to circulate liquid-through the basket, and means for removing the basket from the stand and raising it above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position,

. 18. A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a basket having a reticulated receptacle portion for supporting articles to be cleaned, a stand for holding the basket in stationary ,position below the liquid level in the receptacle, said stand comprising a ring which receives the basket and vertical varies upon the exterior of the ring for supporting the ring above the bottom of the receptacle, an impeller located entirely above the top of the reticulated receptacle portion, means for actuating the impeller'to circulate liquid through the basket, and means for raising the basket from the stand and raising it above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in theraised position.

19. .A cleaning machine comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a basket having a reticulated receptacle portion for supporting articles to be cleaned, a stand for holding the basket in -stationary position below the liquid level in the receptacle, an impeller located entirely above the top of the reticulated receptacle p ortion, positive means for preventing contact of the impeller and the articles, means for actuating the impellex' to actuate liquidv through the basket, and means for raising the basket from the stand and raising 'it above the liquid level in the receptacle and for rotating the basket in the raised position.

CLARENCE n Mosm 

